Marry Me Chicken Sushi Bake (Printable Version)

Creamy chicken baked with orzo, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs in individual cups for a flavorful fusion treat.

# What You Need:

→ Chicken & Pasta

01 - 2 cups cooked orzo pasta (approximately 6.3 oz dry)
02 - 2 cups cooked chicken breast, shredded or diced

→ Marry Me Sauce

03 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
04 - 3 cloves garlic, minced
05 - 1 cup heavy cream
06 - 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
07 - 1/3 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes
08 - 1 teaspoon dried Italian herbs
09 - 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
10 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
11 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Assembly & Topping

12 - 2 large eggs
13 - 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
14 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped (plus extra for garnish)
15 - 1/4 cup panko breadcrumbs
16 - Olive oil spray

# Steps:

01 - Preheat oven to 375°F. Lightly coat a 12-cup muffin tin with olive oil spray.
02 - Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for 1 minute until fragrant.
03 - Add heavy cream, grated Parmesan, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, Italian herbs, crushed red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper to the skillet. Simmer for 2 to 3 minutes until sauce slightly thickens.
04 - Stir cooked chicken into the sauce and simmer for an additional 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
05 - In a large bowl, combine cooked orzo pasta, chicken mixture, eggs, shredded mozzarella, and chopped fresh basil. Stir until evenly incorporated.
06 - Distribute mixture evenly among prepared muffin cups, pressing gently to compact.
07 - Sprinkle panko breadcrumbs over each cup and lightly mist with olive oil spray.
08 - Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes until tops are golden and set.
09 - Allow cups to cool for 5 minutes, then loosen edges with a knife and remove from tin. Garnish with extra fresh basil before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Individual servings mean everyone gets a perfectly golden, crispy-topped cup without any fighting over portions.
  • The Marry Me sauce does all the heavy lifting with flavor while orzo pasta stays tender and soaks up every drop of that dreamy cream.
  • It genuinely tastes impressive but comes together faster than you'd expect, making it perfect for impressing people without the stress.
02 -
  • Don't skip cooling the sauce slightly before adding eggs—hot cream can start cooking them and you'll end up with chunks instead of a creamy binder.
  • Panko makes all the difference in that golden, crispy texture; regular breadcrumbs get dense and sad, while panko stays light and crunchy even after cooling.
  • Pack the cups firmly enough to hold shape but not so hard that you squeeze out moisture—think of it as tucking them in, not crushing them.
03 -
  • Make your sauce the night before and let the flavors meld in the fridge—it tastes noticeably better and saves you time on the actual cooking day.
  • If your muffin cups are sticking, run a thin knife around the edges while they're still slightly warm, which helps them release cleanly without breaking apart.
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